Right, decided to go for upgrading my standard stereo, after reading just about every post about it, and thanks to shipkiller's wonderful site.
Its a general wiring question really as apposed to z4 specific, i'm a bit of a DIY'er so though i'd have a go myself.
I'm going for replacing all the speakers and running from a 4 channel amp. Thing is, for the moment at least, i'm going to use the factory headunit, but the high level input on the audiobahn amp has only 5 connections 4+ and 1-, so it looks like you connect all the speaker negatives together, seems a bit odd to me, wondered if im missing something. (dont have the amp instructions and cant seem to find any)
Thinking it would be easier to replace the headunit :roll:
Joining the grounds on the high level input is not a problem. All the outputs will reference the same ground. If you could see inside the radio you would almost certainly see one negative split into four, ie. They will already be joined. Similarly inside an amp with 4+ and 4- you would find the negatives all joined inside.
Please note this is very very different to taking the 'high' level output from the more expensive BMW radios/dsps, these are balanced-differencial outputs and should not be joined. (I have an M3 and take an output from _before_ the stock BMW amp in the boot, this is balanced)
Just take the output from the rear speakers or something, you don't really need fade front to rear in something the size of a Z4
I'm not sure if you get them on your side of the pond, but Audiocontrol makes a device to give you line level outputs. I think its called a 5.1 or something.
I would do away with the rear speakers, once you've got good some up front there just not needed. I fade 90% to the front now as the rears just ruin the sound stage.
I have the standard 6 speaker set up so think it should be ok.
I've gone for audiobahn 6x8 components for the rear and 6.5 components for the front (maybe a squeeze!), to be run by an audiobahn a6004t amp. Should sound better
Going to try the high level input, maybe see if i can get a cleansweep for reasonable money, if that fails looks like it'll be an aftermarket headunit.
Why 2 sets of components in such a small cabin? I dont think you'll gain anything by having 6x8's in the rear. You'd be better off usng the extra 2 channels on the amp to run a small subwoofer.
Why 2 sets of components in such a small cabin? I dont think you'll gain anything by having 6x8's in the rear. You'd be better off usng the extra 2 channels on the amp to run a small subwoofer.
Well that is kinda the idea, was reccomended the audiobahns as a good sub alternative for the money, so just set the 6x8's up for the lower stuff and the front components for full range.
i agree with un1each too....there's no need for 6x8/9''s in the rear.... get some smaller subs and dampen out the stock positions(where the subs go) to high heaven.... they prob wont sound as good as a boxed affair in the boot, but hopefully a sh1t load better the standard 6 speaker affair!
Also, I wouldn't consider myself an expert... however i do see the odd post on here stating that "I dont wanna swap out my stock head unit" but I still want the best possible sound system in my z4.... in my humble opinion this doesn't work.... RCA output from an aftermarket HU is the best option to feed an amp... but if you want something a little more half arsed then go down the High Level input route.... I know this an area where everyone has different ideas/opinions about....but in my opinion - if your going to do something, try and to do it to the highest possible standard(within budget limitations etc..)
I've just bought two of the 6" subs that un1each pointed out...(http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?series_id=29 (4ohms)) along with the speaker brackets and grills for the stock positions...so I'll post an update with what they sound like with a dedicated amp running them....plus the Rainbow SLC 365 components for the front should be arriving Monday....these will be run from a another amp....when its all in I'm hoping for a decent system considering its cost around £2k all in...
At the end of the day you can spend a lot of money on a sound system, the cost of my install is more like £100, so hopfully for that budget i should get it better than stock. If sounds crap i'll probably try changing the head unit (next cheapest option) as you don't have to spend loads if you're only using the pre-outs.
The main reason i want to keep the stock unit is IMO putting in the spacers for din just doesn't look good. But each to there own.
Gone a bit off track hear, but my questions been answered
